JP2542792B2 - User-operated iontophoretic device - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to iontophoresis devices for delivering a drug or drug to a patient transdermally, ie, through the skin, and more particularly, user actuatable. The present invention relates to an iontophoresis device and method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years, transdermal drug delivery devices have become increasingly important as a means for administering drugs. Such a device offers a number of advantages not clearly achievable with other modes of administration, such as the ability to avoid introducing the drug via the gastrointestinal tract or skin puncture wounds, for example.

Currently, there are two types of drug delivery devices, which
"Passive" and "active" devices. A passive device is a method of delivering medication through the skin of a user without assistance, an example of which is US Pat. No. 3,814,095 (Lub
ens), when local anesthesia is applied to provide local relief. On the other hand, the active device is a method of supplying a drug through the skin of the user by using an iontophoresis method, and the iontophoresis method is according to Stedman's Medical Dictionary.
It is defined as "introducing an ion of the selected drug into the tissue by means of an electric current."

US Pat. No. 4,820,263 (S
pevak et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,408 (Haak et a.
l.) and US Pat. No. 5,084,008 (Phipps), a conventional iontophoretic device for transdermally delivering a drug or drug by an iontophoresis method is known as an anode (anode) and a cathode (cathode). ) Basically consists of two electrodes. Normally, an electric current is passed from an external power source to the skin, which is the anode, and the current returns to the cathode. Therefore, there has been great interest in the iontophoresis method for supplying drugs for various purposes. Two such examples are the use of novocaine, which is usually injected prior to dental work to reduce pain, and the use of lidocaine, which is usually supplied as a local anesthetic.

However, the use of such devices has been associated with some drawbacks and limitations such as storage stability as a result of which the drug is not a stable form suitable for providing a commercially practical shelf life. Prolonged storage can degrade the therapeutic agent and compromise its efficacy. Also, such devices do not deliver effective dosages, which results in poor performance and requires large amounts of medication to be discarded when dosing is complete. Therefore, such devices are generally impractical for outpatient use and in the doctor's office. The reason is that such products do not have a sufficient shelf life and neither patients nor healthcare professionals want to wait the required amount of time to obtain the desired effect. .

Some prior art passive type devices have been described in US Pat. No. 4,911,707 (Heiber et al.) And US Pat.
As disclosed in US Pat. No. 7,676 (Heiber et al.), The use of a “breakable” member that isolates or separates the drug eliminates one of these constraints, namely the shelf-life problem or minimizes it. We are trying to reduce it. However, there remain constraints on the use of such devices, especially problems prior to "breaking" the components. Upon such rupture, the drug mixes with the activation solution, limiting the dosing efficiency of the device.

Another attempt to solve the above problem is, for example,
As described in US Pat. No. 4,722,726 (Sanderson et al.), By injecting the medication into the chamber, the medication is added to the device prior to use. However,
Such devices remain problematic for use, especially when injecting medication. During such injections, it is especially difficult for persons with disabilities or persons with some impairment or restriction to use such devices. Also, such devices do not deliver effective doses as a result of the presence of competing ions.

Attempts to provide an efficient dosing device have been described in Ha, supra.
As described in the ak et al. U.S. patent and Phipps U.S. patent, a dual compartment structure is employed to separate the drug to be administered from the electrolyte solution. However, such devices do not address the long term stability and shelf life demands that prevent drug degradation. Also, slow transport and equilibration between compartments can dilute the drug formulation, which reduces the efficiency of administration of the device.

Therefore, there has been a need for a user-actuated iontophoresis device that overcomes the problems and limitations associated with the above-described prior art devices, where device storage, or inventory life, and dosing efficiency are the most important issues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In contrast to the prior art devices described above, the present invention provides an iontophoresis device that is particularly suitable for use to deliver highly efficient doses and that provides a commercially suitable shelf life. Can be configured. In addition, the device of the present invention can be easily operated by the user to administer a medicine. Such users may include patients, doctors, nurses, etc.

A user-actuated device of the invention for delivering at least one medication to a patient's attachment area, such as skin, mucous membranes, is an electrode assembly for introducing medication absorbed by the patient's body into the patient's attachment area. Means, a first reservoir provided in association with the electrode assembly means, a second reservoir for holding a medicament to be delivered to a mounting area of a patient, the electrode assembly means, the first reservoir and the second reservoir. Holding means for holding the reservoir. The holding means includes the first electrode assembly means and the first electrode assembly means.
Means for holding the second reservoir in electrical connection with the first reservoir and, prior to operation, the second reservoir with the first means.
Second means for preventing the deterioration and dilution of the medicament contained in the second reservoir by keeping it separate with respect to the first reservoir and the second reservoir. When actuated, the reservoirs contact each other to at least partially hydrate one of the two reservoirs, thus increasing the dosing efficiency of the device and, after actuation, to the first and second reservoirs. Allows for conductive contact between. The medication held in the second reservoir is kept dry prior to actuation. Also, the first reservoir can contain a second medication to be delivered to the attachment area of the patient.

In a preferred embodiment, the first means and the second means are hingedly connected to each other along a bendable member, thus folding the retaining means along the bendable member, whereby The device can be activated by electrically contacting the first reservoir and the second reservoir with each other.

In another embodiment, the device also comprises barrier means for separating the first reservoir from the second reservoir, by manipulating the barrier means the first reservoir and the first reservoir. The two reservoirs can be in conductive contact with each other. In this embodiment, the barrier means comprises an upper release surface, a lower release surface,
And a pull tab extending from the retaining means so that the device can be actuated by pulling on the tab to remove the barrier from the device.

A method of iontophoretic delivery of at least one pharmaceutical agent through a patient attachment area such as skin, mucous membranes,
Exposing a first portion of the device that includes an electrode assembly and a first reservoir, and a second device that includes a second reservoir that is separate from the first portion and that contains a medicament to be delivered to a patient. Is exposed.
The first reservoir of the first portion of the device is in conductive contact with the second reservoir of the second portion of the device to at least partially hydrate one of the reservoirs and the combined portion. And the combined part of the device forms
It is attached to the area of the patient to be treated. Also, current is passed through the device and into the attachment area, forcing the medication into the patient's body.

In another embodiment, the hydration solution is applied to the patient's area prior to actuation of the device and prior to attaching the device to the patient's mounting area.

The user-actuated iontophoresis device of the present invention for delivering at least one medication through a patient attachment area such as skin, mucous membrane, etc. comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes the electrode assembly and the first reservoir, and the second portion includes the second reservoir.
The electrode assembly has electrode means for admitting medication to the patient for absorption by the patient's body. The first conductive reservoir contains the active compound delivered to the attachment area of the patient and the second reservoir contains the vasoactive agent delivered to the attachment area of the patient. Also, holding means holds the first portion and the second portion separated from each other, holds the electrode assembly in electrical connection with the first reservoir, and holds the second portion before actuation.
Hold the vasoactive agent contained in the reservoir of the first portion in a separated state with respect to the first portion. In this way, in operation, the first and second reservoirs are in conductive contact with each other and at least one of the two reservoirs is at least partially hydrated.

Also, upon actuation, the vasoactive agent dissolves at the interface of the two reservoirs, allowing the vasoactive agent to contact the patient's attachment area. Also, the vasoactive agent can first be separated from the active compound to a dry state,
During storage, the retaining means is sealed to keep the first part intact. Further, the active compound may include a local anesthetic such as lidocaine, and the vasoactive agent may include
A vasoconstrictor compound such as adrenaline can be included.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Various features, objects, benefits and advantages of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals indicate corresponding components, and the accompanying detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 1A and 1B are schematic cross-sectional views of one embodiment of a user actuated iontophoretic device of the present invention, as will be apparent from reading the claims of Figure 1A
FIG. 1B shows the device before actuation, FIG. 1B shows the device after actuation, and FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the condition before actuation of another embodiment of the device according to the invention, 3A and 3B are schematic cross-sectional views of a further embodiment of the device of the present invention before actuation, and FIGS. 4A and 4B show the device of the present invention with a second drug reservoir. FIG. 6A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state before and after the operation of another embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state before the operation of another embodiment of the device, 6B and 6C are schematic views of still another embodiment of the device of the present invention, FIG. 6A is a sectional view showing the device before actuation, and FIG. 6B is a bottom view showing the device before actuation. Is a figure,
FIG. 6C is a side sectional view showing the device after actuation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A user-actuated iontophoretic device of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-6, generally designated 10. Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a device or patch 10 of the present invention comprises an electrode assembly 12 having at least one electrode, an electrode reservoir 14 and at least one drug reservoir 16, said electrode assembly, The electrode reservoir as well as the drug reservoir are retained or contained within a pouch or other suitable structure 18. The return electrode can be incorporated into the assembly 12 or provided separately, as is well known in the art.

In the preferred embodiment, the device is divided or otherwise divided into two parts, one (first) part 20 being an electrode assembly 12 and an electrode reservoir 14.
And the electrode reservoir holds an electrolyte 26 adjacent the electrode assembly. The other (second) portion 22 contains a drug reservoir 16, which is preferably in ionized or ionizable form and holds a drug or drug 28 to be delivered by iontophoresis. are doing. The particular electrolyte is not an essential requirement for the present invention, it is merely a matter of choice. However, in this embodiment, the electrolyte can include an aqueous solution, a gel matrix (gel matrix) or other forms of sodium chloride.

The pouch 18 has at least two compartments 30, 32, one (first) compartment 30 housing the first part 20 of the device and the other (second) compartment. The compartment 32 houses the other (second) portion 22. The two compartments 30, 32 are hingedly connected to each other along a bendable member 34, and a peelable liner 36 seals the two compartments. In this way, the medicament is stored or otherwise stored in a dry state, which allows it to be hydrated before use, or in a stabilized state in a matrix or on a substrate. It can be isolated from the first part in a manner.
Also, the drug can be stored in a non-aqueous solvent such as low molecular weight polyethylene glycol or glycerin.
The medicament may be capable of being stabilized in such a non-aqueous solvent, and the solution (having the ionized or ionizable medicament) will depend on the particular medicament or combination of medicaments. Thus, an appropriate electrolyte can be used. Such solvents can also be used as wetting agents in the gel matrix.

At least one barrier 38 is provided between the electrode reservoir 14 and the drug reservoir 16 adjacent one or the other thereof,
It is possible to limit the transport of ions between the two reservoirs or reservoirs when they are in conductive contact with each other, as shown in 1B. The particular barrier used in this example is not critical to the invention and may depend on the particular therapeutic application, Haak et al.
It may include any of the septa or morphologies described in the US patents of al. and Phipps.

In the preferred embodiment, the two parts are first removed from each other by removing the release liner 36 to expose the two parts 20, 22 and folding or otherwise bending the device along a bendable member. By contacting,
Contacted with each other. In another embodiment, the bendable member 34 can be a breakable or perforated member that allows the two compartments to be physically separated and then contact each other.

As is well known in the art, the device is then attached to the patient and a voltage is applied to the electrodes of the electrode assembly 12 to cause an electrical current to flow through the patient's skin 60 to deposit the ionic drug into the skin and tissue and into the patient's body. Absorb. It should also be understood that the device of the present invention may be applied to other areas of the body, such as the mucous membranes, depending on the treatment desired and the medicament to be administered.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown generally in FIG. 2 at 210 and the two parts 220, 222 of the device are contained within a single structure 218 and separated by a barrier 240. ing. The barrier 240 has an upper release surface 242 and a lower release surface.
244 and a pull tab 246 extending from the structure. The release surface is provided to prevent the barrier from adhering to adjacent portions of the device, such as reservoirs 214, 216.

The device 210 can also include an adhesive layer 248 for adhering the device to the patient's skin. However,
Before attaching the device to the patient, the barrier 240 is removed from the device by pulling on the tab 246 and the electrode reservoir 2
14 and drug reservoir 216 are in conductive contact with each other.

The two reservoirs 214, 216 of the two parts are separated prior to attachment, which may be due, for example, to slow transport or equilibrium between such reservoirs or to cause dilution of the drug formulation. While preventing the deterioration of the drug due to other effects that reduce the effect of the dosage,
It should be understood that other forms of barrier can be used as long as they allow conductive contact between the reservoirs after activation. In this embodiment, the barrier is a vapor / liquid impermeable barrier that can be removed to activate the device.

Yet another embodiment of the device of the present invention is shown in FIG. 3, which device comprises two separate components 310A, 310B housed in separate structures 318A, 318B. One part has a first part 320 and a second part has a second part 322, these first and second parts being from each of these parts. Release liner 336A, 33
After removing 6B, they can contact each other. In this embodiment, the first portion 320 is a common or universal element and the second portion 322 is dependent on the medication or drug contained therein and the desired treatment / treatment to be administered to the patient. Preferred for use in situations where it is selected for use. In this way, the first part 320
Can be used with a separate second portion 322 manufactured or otherwise produced to have various medicaments.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the device is generally indicated at 410 and comprises three compartments 430, 432, 433 each separated by a bendable member 434.
And a suitable structure 418. The first compartment 430 contains an electrode assembly 412 and an electrode reservoir 414, and the second compartment 430 is a drug reservoir 4
The third compartment contains a second drug reservoir 417 that contacts the patient's skin 460.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The third portion of the can include a flexible member 550 to which a second drug reservoir 517 can be attached. In this embodiment, the flexible member 550 includes an existing release liner 536 and a second release liner 53.
7 and a second drug reservoir 517 between these liners
Is caught.

Another embodiment is shown generally at 610 in FIGS.
B and FIG. 6C. The device comprises an electrode assembly 612, a first reservoir 615 that combines an electrode reservoir and a first drug reservoir, and a second reservoir 617. These components are housed within structure 618 and covered by a backing or cover 619.

The first portion consists of an electrode assembly 612 and a first reservoir 615, and the second portion simply consists of a second reservoir 617. The adhesive layer 648 is the first
Surrounding at least a portion of the reservoir of the release liner 636
But covers both exposed surfaces.

One side of the second reservoir 617 is attached to the flexible member 650 and the other side is attached to the second release liner 637, the second reservoir being the flexible It is sandwiched between a flexible member and a release liner. A bendable member 635 hingedly connects the flexible member 650 to the backing 619 of the structure 618. In this embodiment, the backing can include a foil material such as aluminum laminated with plastic, for example.

The first reservoir 615 of the device 610 is electrically conductive and can be in conductive contact with the electrode assembly 612, and the second reservoir 617 is connected to the first reservoir, respectively, prior to actuation. Can be conductively contacted along the boundary surface of the. In this way, the first reservoir 615
Can be used to contain a gel in which the active compound, which is a local anesthetic such as lidocaine, is dispersed, and the second reservoir 617 contains a vasoactive agent such as adrenaline. Can be used for The addition of a vasoactive agent causes the blood vessels to contract, further concentrating the local anesthetic on the area of attachment, which significantly increases the depth or degree of analgesia of the skin and the duration of the desired effect. It turned out to increase to.

The vasoactive agent can dissolve at the interface of the reservoir during operation of the device due to its solubility in the aqueous fluid. Thus, after attaching the device to the appropriate area of the patient's skin 660 and contacting the vasoactive agent with the skin,
An electric current can be applied. The local anesthetic and the active compound act together during the period of administration by iontophoresis.

During normal storage at room temperature, labile substances such as adrenaline in aqueous solution oxidize and hydrolyze, reducing the activity of vasoactive substances as vasoconstrictors without special precautions. It turned out to be. Such pre-emptive precautions include the complete removal of oxygen in the container for the active drug, and a laminar flow of nitrogen during the process of filling the container with the combined solution of local anesthetic and adrenaline. Including using.

In a preferred embodiment, the structure 618 is sealed to keep the aqueous solution intact during storage and the vasoactive agent is kept separate and dry from the local anesthetic solution during storage. This allows the vasoactive agent to be separated from the local anesthetic (active compound) and kept dry. The vasoactive agent is, for example, a first anesthetic that holds a local anesthetic (active compound) such as cotton fiber or plastic woven thread.
It is preferably maintained in a uniformly distributed, dry state in a carrier material having the same surface area as the reservoir 615 of FIG.

It has been found that adrenaline in the dry state, i.e. adrenaline yarn comprising a cotton or plastic woven yarn impregnated with a predetermined amount of adrenaline per unit length, is suitable for use in the device of the invention. The stability of the dry adrenaline present in the above composition is 5 at room temperature.
It turned out to be extremely good even when stored for more than a year.

The gel contained in the first reservoir 615 and used for the electrolyte also acts as an adhesive and the adhesive layer
Eliminate the need for 648. Further, a porous adhesive can be used.

The following formations can be used with the embodiment of the device 610 of the present invention shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C.

Example 1 Lidocaine hydrochloride monohydrate 150 equivalent to lidocaine hydrochloride
mg Pure water 1 ml Dissolve lidocaine hydrochloride monohydrate in pure water. The solution is absorbed into a thin material of cellulose or plastic, such as Vetx® or Porex®.

Example 2 Ropivacaine Hydrochloride Monohydrate Corresponding to Ropivacaine Hydrochloride
35 mg Pure water 1 ml Dissolve ropivacaine hydrochloride monohydrate in pure water. The solution is absorbed into a thin material of cellulose or plastic.

Example 3 Lidocaine hydrochloride-hydrate 20 m equivalent to lidocaine hydrochloride
g Pure water 1 ml Prepare and adjust as in Example 2.

Example 4 Adrenaline base 1.68 g Hydrochloric acid 5.04 ml Sodium pyrosulfite 0.10 g Tetrasemine disodium 0.05 g Pure water 100 g Solutions with different contents of vasoactive agent are obtained by varying the amount of water. Carrier materials that are soaked with vasoactive agents are cotton threads, synthetic fibers or paper. Immerse the vasoactive solution in the carrier material and evaporate the solution until the carrier material is dry.

Example 5 Ferripressin, Octapressin® 3.15 IU stock solution 25 IU / ml pure water 100 g By varying the amount of water, solutions with different contents of the ferripressin peptide are obtained. Carrier materials which are soaked with peptides are cotton threads, synthetic fibers or paper. Dip the carrier material in the peptide and evaporate the solution until the carrier material is dry.

Also, peptides such as ferripressin have been found to be suitable. Both the active ingredient, which is a local anesthetic or peptide in the form of the hydrochloride salt, as well as the vasoconstrictor (adrenaline is preferred), are preferably readily soluble in aqueous solution.

Thus, various embodiments of the invention can be used where it is necessary to sequester at least one active compound. The pharmaceutical and active compounds used above also mean agents such as therapeutic compounds, diagnostic agents and the like.

The particular material matrix or method of manufacture is not critical to the invention. For example, the medicament may be spray dried on a non-woven material, an inert support or carrier such as a screen or scrim, or various microporous supports or carriers such as nylon, polyethylene and polypropylene. Alternatively, the drug may be dispersed in an ointment or liquid, molded, and dried on a support. Furthermore, the drug is mixed with a dispersant or a water-soluble polymer,
It can be pressed into dry wafers or pellets that dissolve rapidly in water. The drug can be evenly dispersed in a dehydrated gel that can be quickly hydrated by adding water.

The particular water or hydration mechanism is not critical to the present invention and an aqueous solution stored in a compartment near the dry drug compartment can be used, or water from the body (to block the attachment site). (Due to) can supply the required water to the drug reservoir to dissolve the drug formulation. Also, a towel or wet pad in a separate pouch can be prepared with the device to moisten the attachment site and / or medication reservoir prior to attachment to the patient. Alternatively, the water can be given as a spray.
The means of character can be selected depending on the formulation or condition of the drug.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the iontophoresis method,
The invention is based on another active introduction principle, namely the electrophoresis in which particles move in one or another electrode, the anode or the cathode, in an electric field, as well as the overall flow of water produced by the electric field. It is to be understood that non-charged compounds can be used in connection with driving forces such as electroosmosis to be delivered. Furthermore, patients can be humans as well as animals.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described so that one of ordinary skill in the art would be able to practice the apparatus of the invention, various modifications will be made without departing from the concept and spirit of the invention as set forth in the following claims. And it should be understood that modifications can be adopted. The above description is illustrative and should not be used to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined only by reference to the claims that follow.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— A. United States North Carolina 27513, Carrey, Wake County, Steel Trap Court 107 (56) References Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-507464 (JP, A) US Pat. No. 5158537 (US, A)

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] 1. A user-actuated device for delivering at least one medication to a patient's attachment area, such as skin, mucous membranes, for placing the medication in the patient's attachment area for absorption by the patient's body. An electrode assembly means and a first located relative to said electrode assembly means
And a second reservoir for containing a medicine to be supplied to a mounting area of a patient, and a holding means for holding the electrode assembly means, the first reservoir and the second reservoir, and the holding means. Includes first means for holding the electrode assembly means in electrical connection with the first reservoir, the holding means also prior to actuation of the second reservoir to the second reservoir. One reservoir is kept separate to prevent deterioration and dilution of the medication contained in the second reservoir and, in operation, the first reservoir and the second reservoir are brought into contact with each other to both A second at least partially hydrated one of the reservoirs enhances the dosing efficiency of the device and, after actuation, permits a second conductive contact between the first and second reservoirs. User-operated device which comprises a stage. 2. The user actuated device of claim 1, wherein:
The first means and the second means are hingedly connected to each other along a bendable member, thereby folding the holding means along the bendable member,
User-actuated device, which can be actuated by electrically contacting the reservoir and the second reservoir with each other. 3. The user-actuated device of claim 1, wherein the first reservoir is separated from the second reservoir,
Further comprising barrier means operable to electrically conductively contact the first and second reservoirs with each other, the barrier means comprising an upper release surface, a lower release surface,
A pull tab extending from the retaining means for pulling the tab to remove the barrier from the device and actuating by conductively connecting the first reservoir and the second reservoir to each other. A user-operated device characterized by being capable of 4. The user actuated device of claim 1, wherein:
The first reservoir contains a second medication to be delivered to a mounting area of a patient, at least one of the two medications being:
User actuated device characterized in that it is kept dry before actuation. 5. The user actuated device of claim 1, wherein
Further comprising at least one barrier provided between the first reservoir and the second reservoir that limits the presence of competing ions when the two reservoirs are electrically conductively connected to each other. User operated device. 6. The user actuated device of claim 1, wherein:
The first means comprises a compartment and the second means also comprises a compartment, one compartment containing the electrode assembly means and the first reservoir and the other compartment. Accommodating the second reservoir, the two compartments being hingedly connected to each other along a bendable member, a release liner sealing the two compartments, thereby providing a medicament to be dispensed. The second reservoir to be stored can be stored separately from the first reservoir, and the device can be folded along the bendable member to allow the first reservoir and the second reservoir to be stored. User actuated device, which can be actuated by conductively contacting the reservoirs of one another. 7. A user-actuated iontophoresis device for delivering at least one medication through a patient's attachment area, such as skin, mucous membrane, a first portion comprising an electrode assembly and a first reservoir,
And a second portion including a second reservoir, the electrode assembly having electrode means for admitting medication absorbed by the body of the patient into the patient, the first electrode having electrical conductivity. One reservoir contains an active compound delivered to a patient attachment area, the second reservoir contains a vasoactive agent delivered to a patient attachment area, and the device comprises , Holding means for holding the first part and the second part in a separated state from each other, wherein the vasoactive agent contained by the second reservoir is Of the first reservoir and the second reservoir can be in conductive contact with each other when activated, at least one of the reservoirs being at least partially A user-operated iontophoresis device characterized by being hydrated. 8. The user-operated iontophoresis device according to claim 7, wherein the vasoactive agent dissolves at the interface between the two reservoirs during operation, and the vasoactive agent comprises:
A user-actuated iontophoresis device, characterized in that it is capable of contacting the mounting area of the patient to be energized. 9. The user actuated iontophoresis device of claim 7, wherein the vasoactive agent is initially sealed to retain the first portion intact during storage. It is in a dried form, either separated from the active compound by a retaining means or even distributed homogeneously in a carrier material, whereby the vasoactive agent is an aqueous solution during storage. User-actuated iontophoresis, characterized in that it can be kept in a dry form in a state separated from the active compound by the holding means sealed to hold in the first part. apparatus. 10. The user-actuated iontophoresis device of claim 7, wherein the first reservoir comprises an electrolyte such as a conductive gel, the active compound comprises a local anesthetic, and the vasoactive agent. Is a vasoconstrictor compound, the local anesthetic is lidocaine, and the vasoconstrictor compound is adrenaline.